if you love him, you'll buy him whatever he wants, she said

what

became of all those toys

the boy

gained

on Christmas,

for birthdays,

or for no other reason

than to please

him, and to stave

off his tears

and screams.

what attic are they in,

what box,

or bag

do they lie in?

have they traveled

with him

across the country?

small plastic reminders

of love

without boundaries,

regardless

of cost,

bought for wrong

reasons.